What it means for me – watching from the sidelines. Learning to let him go, hopefully to fly. I don’t love the idea of this new Hesder; I’d prefer him to go into a more established program, though the Rabbi founding the new one is quite impressive and does have an excellent background.

I want him to go to Poland…but mostly, I want him to have went to Poland and already be home safe. We bought him a new camera to take to Poland – very small, compact and perfect for the trip. We bought him a new watch…something that will likely go with him into the army.

And deep inside, there is this part of me that thinks of Davidi, the little boy. Eighteen years goes by in a flash…so fast. He’s not little anymore. He’s so tall…so special…

About the Author:Paula R. Stern is CEO of WritePoint Ltd., a leading technical writing company in Israel. Her personal blog, A Soldier's Mother, has been running since 2007. She lives in Maale Adumim with her husband and children, a dog, too many birds, and a desire to write.

The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Jewish Press.

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